Conveyor arrangements

ABSTRACT

An endless conveyor arrangement for carrying moulds in a plant for producing shaped parts from multi-component plastics mould filling material, is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a chain having a plurality of first link members each arranged to carry a mould and a plurality of second link members intermediate the first link members and pivotally attached thereto. Each of the first link members comprises a pair of mutually spaced parallel plate members, between which the respective end portions of adjacent second link members project. The chain passes over two mutually spaced horizontal co-planar guide wheels, and the periphery of each guide wheel is formed by a plurality of forked members which are adapted to span the second link members of the chain. Linear support rails are disposed adjacent runs of the chain intermediate the guide wheels, and these support rails engage rollers or wheels mounted on the chain.

United States Patent Zippelet al.

[ 5] Sept. 12, 1972 [54] CONVEYOR ARRANGEMENTS [72] Inventors: BerndZippel, Langenhain; Alfred Schlieckmann, Eschwege, both of Germany [73]Assignee: Richard Zippel 8: Co. KG,

Eschwege, Germany [22] Filed: Feb. 20, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 12,918

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data March 1, 1969 Germany ..P l9 10537.4

[52] Cl. ..l98/l3l, 74/243, 74/250 [51] Int. Cl ..B65g 17/00 [58] Fieldof Search ..l98ll3l, 177; 74/240, 250 R [56] References Cited FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 686,455 12/1939 Germany ..l98/l77 1,295,5515/1961 France ..l98/l3l Primary Examiner-Richard E. Aegerter AssistantExaminer-Douglas D. Watts Attorney-Nolte and Nolte [5 7] ABSTRACT Anendless conveyor arrangement for carrying moulds in a plant forproducing shaped parts from multi-component plastics mould fillingmaterial, is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a chain having aplurality of first link members each arranged to carry a mould and aplurality of second link members intermediate the first link members andpivotally attached thereto. Each of the first link members comprises apair of mutually spaced parallel plate members, between which therespective end portions of adjacent second link members project. Thechain passes over two mutually spaced horizontal co-planar guide wheels,and the periphery of each guide wheel is formed by a plurality of forkedmembers which are adapted to span the second link members of the chain.Linear support rails are disposed adjacent runs of the chainintermediate the guide wheels, and these support rails engage rollers orwheels mounted on the chain.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEI] SEP 12 1912 SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTORSBERND ZIPPEL ALFRED SCHLIECKMANN.

EYS

BY 4M vw ATTOR PATENTEU E 2 I97? 3.690 .441

sum 2 0F 2 INVENTORS BERND ZIPPEL ALFRED SCHLIECKMANN BY mw fill/5ATTORKJEYS CONVEYOR ARRANGEMENTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention relates to improvements in endless conveyors,especially to conveyors for carrying moulds in a plant for producingshaped parts from multi'component plastics mould filling material.

Multi-component plastics are generally manufactured from liquidcomponents. These liquid componentsare mixed in a mixing device and thenrapidly become paste-like and after only a short time show a viscousconsistency. For these reasons it is essential that the intermittentlyoperating mould-filling mechanisms effect a discharge of the plasticmixture and fill a mould with this mixture with a discharge periodicityof between three to thirty seconds, approximately. If longer periodselapse between two successive discharges of the plastic componentsmixture, an automatic cleaning device comes into action which flushesand cleans the mixing plant so that the latter does not become stuck upby the plastic mixture as it becomes viscous. Hence conveyors for thecasting moulds must be so designed that in each of these short periodsof time they must convey a new mould into the mouldfilling plant andremove the already filled mould. But since the plastics have to remainin the mould for a fairly long time before they are fully cured, orcured to such an extent that the plastic articles which have beenmanufactured can be knocked out of the mould, the conveying systemsoften have a long belt and therefore occupy much space. This is animportant disadvantage. For throughout industry the need is for plantwhich saves space as much as possible.

. Conventional endless conveyors running in a horizontal plane are, forexample, the so-called plate conveyors. These have plates as theconveying elements. On the underside the plates have wheels which run onrails. An endless, rotating chain is located beneath the middle of theplates and the rails. The plates are connected to this endless, rotatingchain. A disadvantage of this system is the fact that the plates have tobe at a relatively large distance apart so that, at the ends of thestraight conveying stretches, these plates can negotiate a curved track.The relatively large distance is necessary so that on these curves theplates do not jolt one another on the side of the plates which faces thespace between the two curved paths. This results in much dead spacebetween the individual plates which is of no use and, in fact, onlyincreases the amount of space required by the system.

A further disadvantage of these conventional plate conveyors is that thespace underneath the plates is utilized for housing the wheelssupporting the plates, the rails on which the wheels run and the endlessrotating chain of the conveyor. Consequently, the actuating means forthe ejectors cannot be disposed beneath the plates and therefore theejectors have to be adapted to operate from the sides of the conveyor.This arrangement increases the amount of space required by the plant.

SUMMARY OF TI-[E INVENTION.

According to the present invention there is provided a horizontallytravelling conveyor arrangement for a mould filling plant, comprising achain having a plurality of first link members each arranged to carry orengage with a mould and each comprising a pair of vertically spacedparallel plate members and a plurality of second link membersintermediate the first link members and pivotally attached thereto, endportions of the second link members projecting between the parallelplates of the adjacent first link members. Horizontally spaced guidewheels are provided for guiding the chain, and each has forked membersspaced around its circumference, the forked members each being adaptedto span a second link member of the chain. A plurality of rollers arerotatably mounted on the chain and linear support rails engage therollers, intermediate the guide wheels, where pairs of support rails aredisposed, while in the regions of the conveyor path round the guidewheels, the plate members are supported in the horizontal plane by theforked members of the guide wheels and so the pairs of rails can bedispensed with in these regions. In this way, not only is a very simpleand space saving construction obtained but it also becomes possible, asa result, for the actuating mechanisms for the ejectors disposed on theindividual plates to be operated from below the moulds. This not onlysaves space, because now, of course, these ejector mechanisms can bedisposed in the unused space beneath the plate members, but is alsoproductive of a simpler ejector mechanism construction which is lesssusceptible to breakdown.

The forked members on the guide wheels are approximately as wide as thesecond link members of the chain and their prongs are pushed between theside plates of the chain during the guiding of the chain over the guidewheels. In this way, it is made possible to dispense with the rails inthe region of the reversing stretches of the conveyor path without theplates coming out of their plane through forces of gravity.

The wheels running in the rails are preferably mounted in the middle ofthe sides parallel to the chain, of the plate members. It is simplest tomount them there. It is also convenient if the wheels running in therails are disposed in perpendicular projection to the middle of the sideplate members on the side of the conveying means facing away from thechain.

It is advantageous if the side plate members are constructed as theconveying means on which the moulds are fastened directly. This permitsa substantial economy of material and provides a greater robustness ofthe whole conveying system. With this arrangement it is possible for theside plate members to be T-shaped plates, the transverse arms of whichare articulated with the second link members of the chain and thelongitudinal arms have bearings at both ends for the wheels running onthe rails. In another preferred construction the side plate members arerectangular plates, on one side of which are provided pivot bearing pinsfor connecting the plate members to the second link members of thechain. Alternatively, the side plate members are triangular in shapewith the pins for connecting the plate members to the second linkmembers of the chain provided on one side of the respective platemembers.

A It is convenient if the rectangular or triangular side plate membershave openings for the passage of ejectOl'S.

To increase the stability of a plate conveyor it may be convenient ifthe plates on the part remote from the chain carry interlocking devices.These locking devices BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularlydescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

' FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a conveyor arrangement embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 similarly shows a T-shaped plate member associated with otherparts of the conveyor arrangement;

FIG. 3 similarly shows a rectangular shaped plate member forming a partof a conveyor arrangement;

FIG. 4 shows a triangular plate member forming a part of a conveyorarrangement;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the conveyor arrangement as seen along lines5--5 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 shows a partial plan view of a modified-plate conveyorarrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.

Referring now to the drawings, a conveyor arrangement comprises twohorizontally spaced co-planar guide wheels 1 and 31 which are shown inFIG. 1. The guide wheels-1 and 31 are mounted on shafts30 and 33,respectively. The shaft 30 is a driven shaft and constitutes drive meansfor the conveyor. Each of the guide wheels 1 and 31 have radial arms 2on which'forked members 3 are disposed. Each of the forked members 3 isso shaped that, between two prongs 4 located as indicated in FIG. 1, anintermediate portion 5 is provided. The length of the intermediateportion 5 is matched to the length of second link members '6 of thechain conveyor. The prongs or tines 4 and the intermediate portion 5 ofeach of the forked members 3 embraceapproximately half of the peripheryof each of the second chain link members 6. As the respective forkedmembers 3 engage the chain conveyor comprising parallel and mutuallyspaced plate links 7 and second link members 6, the prongs 4 are pushedbetween the vertically spaced plate links 7 (FIG. 5) and thus contacttheir inner surfaces and support them in a horizontal plane. Each platemember 7 carries a mould, as shown by broken lines and indicated by thereference 8 in FIG. 1. Wheels or rollers 13 are rotatably mounted on thesides of plate members 7, spaced transversely of the chain, and theserollers 13 engage grooves in rails 14. The rails 14 are disposedadjacent portions of the chain conveyor which extend intermediate theguide wheels.

It is convenient if the plate members 7 are constructed directly asconveying means, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The casting moulds 8 arethen fixed onto these plate members by screws for example.

. As shown in FIG. 2, the plat link members are shaped as a T, forexample. The transversearm 9 of each of the T-shaped plate link membershas holes at its ends through which pins 10 pass and to which the secondlink members 6 are swivel-mounted. The longitudinal arm 11 of eachT-shaped plate link has pins 12 at both ends, to which are mountedwheels or rollers 13 which runon rails 14. These rollers 13, serve,simultaneously, to support the chain conveyor against forces acting inboth horizontal and vertical directions. For this reason, each of therollers 13 has a groove in its circumference, as schematically shown inFIG. 5, and in which the rail 14 engages.

As shown in FIG. 3, the plate link members are rectangular, and areindicated generally by the reference 16. Each of the rectangular platelink members 16 has openings 15, through which ejector actuators canpenetrate. Two holes are provided in each rectangular plate 16 throughwhich pins 10 are inserted for the swivel-mounting of the second linkmembers 6 of the chain conveyor. Each of the 'plate link members 16 alsohas holes centred on its longitudinal axis of symmetry in which'areinserted pins 12 for supporting rollers 13.

FIG. 4 shows a triangular shaped link plate member 16 having atriangular aperture 15 but in other respects similar to the plate linkmembers which have been described above with reference to FIG. 3.Depending on the ejector arrangement which is used, a choice can be madefrom the variously shaped plate link members shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.Generally,the T-shaped plate link member of FIG. 2 is preferred, butgreater rigidity is obtained when either of the plate link members shownin FIGS. 3 or 4 is utilized.

Since, as shown in FIG. 5, it is convenient for parallel mutually spacedplate link members 7- as is the general practice with chains to bedisposed on either side of the second chain link members 6, it is alsopossible to combine different shapes of plate link members depending onthe requirements of a particular application. For example, to userectangular plates to provide the upper members of the loop chainconveyor and to provide T-shaped link plates below. I

In FIG. 6 there is shown another conveyor arrangement in'accordance withan embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 6, the support frame of theconveyor arrangement is indicated by the reference 20. The conveyorarrangement comprises two horizontal co-planar guide wheels, one ofwhich is shown in FIG. 6 and indicated by the reference 1. Each of theguide wheels is provided with radially projecting spokes, the endportions of which are attached to the forked members3 which form theperiphery of each of the guide wheels. As shown in FIG. 6, each of theplate link members 16 is provided with a projecting tongue 17. Thesetongues serve as locking devices which engage and co-operate withsupport members 18 as soon as the plates 16 are traversing portions ofthe conveyor path intermediate the drive wheels.

Such traversing of intermediate conveyor path portions can again proceedby means of equipment as shown in FIG. 1, as has also been pointed outin the Summary of the Invention. Accordingly, the rollers 13 carried bythe plates 16 engage between the rails 14. Locking devices 17, 18 ofFIG. 6 provide additional stabilization of the rows of plates on thestraight stretches of the conveyor path.

We claim:

1. An endless conveyor arrangement for a mould filling plant, comprisingin combination: a pair of mutually spaced guide wheels; a chain arrangedaround said guide wheels and having a plurality of first link memberseach arranged to carry a mould and each comprising a pair of mutuallyspaced parallel T-shaped plate members, and having a plurality of secondlink members intermediate said first link members for pivotal attachmentthereto, each of said plate members comprising a transverse member and alongitudinal member, opposite end portions of each said transversemember being pivotally connected to respective ones of said second linkmembers; forked members spaced around the circumference of each saidguide wheels, said forked members each being adapted to entrain arespective one of said second link members; a plurality of rollersrotatably mounted on said chain, one of said rollers being rotatablymounted on each opposite end portion of each said longitudinal member;and linear support rails to engage said rollers, said support railsbeing disposed substantially parallel to a run of said chainintermediate said guide wheels.

2. An arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said forkmembers comprises two mutually spaced co-planar prongs separated by anintermediate fork member portion, the length of said intermediateportion being substantially equal to the length of each of said secondlink members and the width of said prongs being substantially equal tothe width of said second link members, said prongs engaging portions ofsaid chain passing over said guide wheels and projecting between saidplate members of said pairs.

3. An endless conveyor arrangement particularly for a mould fillingplant, comprising in combination:

a. a chain substantially arranged in a single horizontal plane, saidchain comprising first link members each consisting in substance of apair of vertically spaced parallel plate members, at least one of whichextends horizontally from the path of the chain to an area lateral ofthat path and is adapted in such area to support a mould or the like,standing on the plate member; second link members being provided asparts of the chain, each lying between such parallel plate members andpivotally interconnecting the first link members;

b. a plurality of horizontally spaced guide wheels,

each guiding a section of said chain; a series of tines spaced aroundand projecting from the circumference of each guide wheel, the tinesextending into the space between said plate members, for contact withend surfaces of the interconnecting second link members, to propel thechain, and also 'in surface contact with laterally extended horizontalsurfaces of said plate members, laterally of the travel of the chain, sothat such tines absorb bending forces caused by the weight of the platemembers and of moulds or the like standing thereon, which would tend totwist the chain section guided by the guide wheel; d. ground supportmeans extending adjacent sections of said chain between said guidewheels; and

. roller means carried at laterally opposite extreme portions of eachhorizontally extending plate member, said roller means being adapted torollably engage with said ground support means to support sections ofsaid chain extending between said guide wheels and thereby to absorbbending forces caused by the weight of the plates and of I moulds or thelike standing thereon, which would tend to twist the chain between theguide wheels. 4. An endless conveyor arrangement for a mould fillingplant, comprising in combination: a pair of mutually spaced guidewheels; a chain arranged around said guide wheels and having a pluralityof first link members each arranged to carry a mould and each comprisinga pair of mutually spaced parallel triangular plate members, the chainalso including second link members intermediate said first link membersfor pivotal attachment thereto, each of said triangular plate memberscomprising three sides, with an aperture therebetween and with oppositeend portions of one such side being pivotally connected to respectivesecond link members; forked members spaced around the circumference ofeach said guide wheels, said forked members each being adapted toentrain a respective one of said second link members; a plurality ofrollers rotatably mounted on said chain, one of said rollers beingrotatably mounted on each apex portion of a triangular member, oppositesaid one side; and linear support rails to engage said rollers, saidsupport rails being disposed substantially parallel to a run of saidchain intermediate said guide wheels. I

5. An endless conveyor arrangement for a mould filling plant, comprisingin combination: a pair of mutually spaced guide wheels; a chain arrangedaround said guide wheels and having a plurality of first link memberseach arranged to carry a mould and each comprising a pair of mutuallyspaced parallel rectangular plate members, the chain also includingsecond link members intermediate said first link members for pivotalattachment thereto, each of said rectangular plate members comprisingfour sides, with opposite end portions of one such side being pivotallyconnected to respective second link members; forked members spacedaround the circumference of each said guide wheels, said forked memberseach being adapted to entrain a respective one of said second linkmembers; a

plurality of rollers rotatably mounted on said chain, one of saidrollers being rotatably mounted on each central portion of a side ofsaid rectangular member opposite said one side; and linear support railsto engage said rollers, said support rails being disposed substantiallyparallel to a run of said chain intermediate said guide wheels.

1. An endless conveyor arrangement for a mould filling plant, comprisingin combination: a pair of mutually spaced guide wheels; a chain arrangedaround said guide wheels and having a plurality of first link memberseach arranged to carry a mould and each comprising a pair of mutuallyspaced parallel T-shaped plate members, and having a plurality of secondlink members intermediate said first link members for pivotal attachmentthereto, each of said plate members comprising a transverse member and alongitudinal member, opposite end portions of each said transversemember being pivotally connected to respective ones of said second linkmembers; forked members spaced around the circumference of each saidguide wheels, said forked members each being adapted to entrain arespective one of said second link members; a plurality of rollersrotatably mounted on said chain, one of said rollers being rotatablymounted on each opposite end portion of each said longitudinal member;and linear support rails to engage said rollers, said support railsbeing disposed substantially parallel to a run of said chainintermediate said guide wheels.
 2. An arrangement as defined in claim 1,wherein each of said fork members comprises two mutually spacedco-planar prongs separated by an intermediate fork member portion, thelength of said intermediate portion being substantially equal to thelength of each of said second link members and the width of said prongsbeing substantially equal to the width of said second link members, saidprongs engaging portions of said chain passing over said guide wheelsand projecting between said plate members of said pairs.
 3. An endlessconveyor arrangement particularly for a mould filling plant, comprisingin combination: a. a chain Substantially arranged in a single horizontalplane, said chain comprising first link members each consisting insubstance of a pair of vertically spaced parallel plate members, atleast one of which extends horizontally from the path of the chain to anarea lateral of that path and is adapted in such area to support a mouldor the like, standing on the plate member; second link members beingprovided as parts of the chain, each lying between such parallel platemembers and pivotally interconnecting the first link members; b. aplurality of horizontally spaced guide wheels, each guiding a section ofsaid chain; c. a series of tines spaced around and projecting from thecircumference of each guide wheel, the tines extending into the spacebetween said plate members, for contact with end surfaces of theinterconnecting second link members, to propel the chain, and also insurface contact with laterally extended horizontal surfaces of saidplate members, laterally of the travel of the chain, so that such tinesabsorb bending forces caused by the weight of the plate members and ofmoulds or the like standing thereon, which would tend to twist the chainsection guided by the guide wheel; d. ground support means extendingadjacent sections of said chain between said guide wheels; and e. rollermeans carried at laterally opposite extreme portions of eachhorizontally extending plate member, said roller means being adapted torollably engage with said ground support means to support sections ofsaid chain extending between said guide wheels and thereby to absorbbending forces caused by the weight of the plates and of moulds or thelike standing thereon, which would tend to twist the chain between theguide wheels.
 4. An endless conveyor arrangement for a mould fillingplant, comprising in combination: a pair of mutually spaced guidewheels; a chain arranged around said guide wheels and having a pluralityof first link members each arranged to carry a mould and each comprisinga pair of mutually spaced parallel triangular plate members, the chainalso including second link members intermediate said first link membersfor pivotal attachment thereto, each of said triangular plate memberscomprising three sides, with an aperture therebetween and with oppositeend portions of one such side being pivotally connected to respectivesecond link members; forked members spaced around the circumference ofeach said guide wheels, said forked members each being adapted toentrain a respective one of said second link members; a plurality ofrollers rotatably mounted on said chain, one of said rollers beingrotatably mounted on each apex portion of a triangular member, oppositesaid one side; and linear support rails to engage said rollers, saidsupport rails being disposed substantially parallel to a run of saidchain intermediate said guide wheels.
 5. An endless conveyor arrangementfor a mould filling plant, comprising in combination: a pair of mutuallyspaced guide wheels; a chain arranged around said guide wheels andhaving a plurality of first link members each arranged to carry a mouldand each comprising a pair of mutually spaced parallel rectangular platemembers, the chain also including second link members intermediate saidfirst link members for pivotal attachment thereto, each of saidrectangular plate members comprising four sides, with opposite endportions of one such side being pivotally connected to respective secondlink members; forked members spaced around the circumference of eachsaid guide wheels, said forked members each being adapted to entrain arespective one of said second link members; a plurality of rollersrotatably mounted on said chain, one of said rollers being rotatablymounted on each central portion of a side of said rectangular memberopposite said one side; and linear support rails to engage said rollers,said support rails being disposed substantially parallel to a run ofsaid chain intermediate said guide wheels.